American Airlines employees given $150 to beat Delta

(ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE) -- Employees of American Airlines and US Airways were told by their parent company they can earn up to $150 each month if they outdo Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and two other big rivals in on-time arrivals, baggage handling and customer satisfaction.

American Airlines Group, which formed Dec. 9 when American Airlines and US Airways merged, delivered the message to workers on Thursday.

The other rivals are Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.

If the workers beat all three rivals in all three categories, they receive $150. If they place first in two categories, they get $100. And if they place first in one category, they get $50.

American's chief operating officer Robert Isom said in a message to employees, "D0 will be at the core of everything we do at American Airlines. Departing on time leads to consistent on-time arrivals and baggage delivery."

To gauge results, the company will use U.S. Department of Transportation statistics published every month beginning with the January 2014 numbers that come out in March.